Roy Thomas Baker, producer of “Bohemian Rhapsody” & much more, dead at 78

Producer Roy Thomas Baker, who has been behind the boards of dozens of famous rock records over the last 50 years, has died at age 78. No cause of death was given.

Born in 1946 in London, Baker got his start early, working for Decca Records at age 14 as an assistant engineer. He soon took a job at Trident Studios where he worked with producers Tony Visconti and Gus Dudgeon, and such artists as Frank Zappa, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie and more. His most famous working relationship, though, was with Queen. He produced Queen, Queen II, Sheer Heart Attack, A Night at the Opera and Jazz, and his Grammy awards include one for “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

In addition to Queen, Baker also produced The Cars’ 1978 debut, Candy-O, Panorama, and Shake it Up, Foreigner’s Head Games, Devo’s Oh, No! It’s Devo, Mötley Crüe’s Too Fast for Love, The Darkness’ One Way Ticket to Hell… and Back, and more.

Rest in peace, Roy.

Watch Roy talk “Bohemian Rhapsody” below.